Celtics Journal: Foul-prone C's opened door for Sixers comeback

PHILADELPHIA — There are many ways a pro basketball team can erase an 18-point deficit in a high-stakes playoff game, and the Philadelphia 76ers may have hit them all Friday night.

By KEVIN McNAMARA | | Journal Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - There are many ways a pro basketball team canerase an 18-point deficit in a high-stakes playoff game, and thePhiladelphia 76ers may have hit them all Friday night.

Thanks to the generous Celtics, the 76ers wiped out a 49-31deficit and came back to win, 92-83. The Sixers killed Boston offthe boards (52-38), welcomed 17 Celtic turnovers and also paradedto the foul line all night. The Celtics were called for 28 foulsand Philly finished 25-of-36 from the line. Boston was just16-of-19 from the stripe.

"The free throw line tells the story. That's tough to win thatway," said Doc Rivers. "But everything that we did was theprescription for what you don't want to do to beat them."

The Celtics played aggressive defense in the first half andlimited Philly to just nine field goals on 23-percent shooting. TheCelts led 46-31 at the half, but the Sixers came up with 13 pointsfrom the foul line thanks to 15 Boston fouls.

In the second half, the Sixers started to hit their shots andthat opened the door for the comeback.

"In the second half we just didn't do it," said Rivers. "Givethem credit; they pressured and took us out of a lot of stuff but Ithought it was more how we played in that stretch."

Allen a concern

While Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce have eachalready made an impact on the series, Doug Collins and the 76ersare just waiting for Ray Allen to earn his keep.

All agree it's only a matter of time. Allen did lead the Celtsin scoring with 17 points in the Game Two loss, but the Celts arelooking for him to knock home a few of his patented long jumpers ina victory.

"Ray Allen is a threat to throw up 20 points at any time," saidCollins. "When he's on the floor you have to space him differently.He takes away some of your help because you have to shade himdifferently. I've always been a Ray Allen guy. I think he's theultimate pro."

After scoring three points and taking just one shot in GameThree, Allen was certainly due for a bounce-back game. Game Threemarked only the second time in his career that he got off just oneshot in a game. The other came way back on Jan. 11, 2006, when heplayed in Seattle. Allen said his sniper reputation precedes him,even at this later stage of his career.

"I think about what I've been able to do in this league, overthe course of my career, being able to be regarded as one of thegreatest shooters of all time. Now it's at the point where it hurtsme," he said. "Nobody wants me to take a shot."

That respect helps Allen's teammates get open. With Rondoknifing through a defense, Allen's man can't move over to help andrisk leaving him wide open. His man isn't about to cheat over whenGarnett touches the ball in the post, either.

"When Ray is on the floor, that means somebody is open," saidRivers. "I always kid with Reggie Miller and say 'Hey, we could useyou on the last play of the game. Today.' It's a guarantee thatsomebody is going to stand next to him, and that's what Ray does.If he stands in the corner, someone is going to stand next tohim."

Praise for Rondo

Collins had been effusive in his praise of Rondo, and with goodreason. Rondo has averaged 14.7 points and 14.7 assists in threegames and showing no signs of slowing down. His performance inGames Two and Three was downright scary as he totaled 27 assistsand just two turnovers in 78 minutes of action.

Since 1977, only one other player has racked up 13 or moreassists with one or fewer turnovers in consecutive playoff games.That would be San Antonio's Johnny Moore in 1983.

Rondo says he's not quite sure how the 76ers will play him therest of the series, but would be happy if things stay the same."Evan Turner's been checking me and I'm sure that's not a normalmatchup for them," Rondo said. "Who knows what they'll do, but I'llbe ready."

Dooling prepared

If there is one Celtic grooming himself for a life in probasketball after the dribbles stop, it's Keyon Dooling. The veteranguard is a leader on and off the court, a vice president in the NBAPlayers' Association and a player not afraid to chirp atteammates.

"The guys respect me because I'm honest with them. I want thebest for them," he said. "A lot of times you're echoing some of themessages that the coaches give them, but I can give it to them in adifferent way."

Rivers is more than happy to hear Dooling getting after any ofthe team's stars.

"He lays it on them. If the starters aren't playing right,they're going to hear from Keyon and they accept it, which isimportant," said Rivers. "His play has allowed him to talk. Whenyou defend the way he's defending, you can pretty much say what youwant."

Dooling was heavily involved in the talks that ended the lockoutlast December. He says players are always asking him about detailsin the new contract and admits, "I even had a couple says in thislast CBA."

"The union experience is great," he added. "Just being able tonegotiate with some of the best businessmen in the world in ourowners. It's a great experience to see the way David Stern runs hisship over there. It's amazing. It really gives you something tolook forward to in the next phase of your career."

No rest on off-day

The Celtics took a day off on Thursday, but Rivers has learnedthat his veterans know exactly what they need to do to stay fresh,and a full day of R-and-R isn't in the cards.

"We didn't do anything yesterday, but Kevin (Garnett) was overthere shooting," Rivers said. "Guys, especially veterans, more thanyoung guys, understand what they need to do to keep them inrhythm.

"I think for young guys, days off are bad, because I don't thinkthey get that. They think a day off is a day off; they don'tunderstand what gets you to the next day or the next game. And Ithink a lot of our veteran guys, if they need a day off, they takeit off. But Ray (Allen) rarely takes a day off. He's runningsomewhere - down the street, riding a bike. Paul's (Pierce) on thetreadmill at the hotel."